The Schwartz Report

Microsoft Downplays Windows 1.0

Windows 1.0 got off to its auspicious start on Thursday Nov. 10, 1983, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Invitations to the launch were sent to the press in a box with a squeegee. The header read: "For a clear view of what's new in microcomputer software please join Microsoft and 18 microcomputer manufactures for a press conference…"

But, like many versions of Windows that would follow it, the first release didn't ship until two years after that fateful press conference, leading many to refer to it as "vapor-ware." Finally, Microsoft released Windows 1.0 in November of 1985 at Comdex.

When it comes to Windows 1.0, Microsoft prefers not to look that far back and has no apparent plans to celebrate its pending 25th anniversary. When we reached out to Microsoft to talk about its first rendition of Windows, the company declined to make anyone who was there at the time available. "We are focusing our anniversary efforts on the Windows 7 first birthday so unfortunately we won't be able to provide a briefing from someone [from] the Windows 1.0 days," a spokeswoman for Microsoft said in declining our request.

Of course, that anniversary is coming next month on Oct. 22. But we want to hear your recollections of Windows 1.0. Drop me a line at jschwartz@1105media.com.